John G. Reynolds

Union officer

John G. Reynolds was born in New Jersey, and commissioned on May 26, 1824.

A 35-year veteran of the Marine Corps in 1861, Reynolds had fought in the Mexican War. In July of 1861 he commanded a battalion of Marines at Bull Run, the only major land battle of the war in which Marines were involved.

After Bull Run Reynolds was promoted to lieutenant colonel, commanding the battalion at the capture of Port Royal, South Carolina, in November 1861, and surviving the sinking of the U.S. Transport Governor off Gerogetown, South Carolina. He went on to command the batalion at the capture of Fort Clinch, Florida in March 1862. In September of 1863 he took over the Marine Battalion on Folly Island, South Carolina, from the ailing Major Zeilin.